Though the Kwara State government dismissed claims that the Senate president, Bukola Saraki, was not responsible for the delay in appointing commissioners in the state, it is an open secret that the former governor would make considerable input in drawing the list of those that would be part of the state executive council due to his towering influence, Daily Trust reports.

Politics and political affiliations are said to be largely driven by interests and aspirations especially in Nigeria where there are no clear-cut ideologies defining politicians' foray into the political arena. The only common ideology, according to pundits, is interest and nothing else. Many politicians stake their fortunes in support of candidates solely to water the ground for themselves when their candidates eventually win.

The 2015 elections saw many politicians aligning and realigning but at the end, the biggest winners were those of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the party which won the presidency. However, three months after, states are yet to appoint commissioners, special advisers, assistants and chairmen of boards and parastatals. Kwara State falls into this category as Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed only made five appointments since May 29 when he started his second term in office. They were Secretary to the State Government, Chief of Staff, two media aides and a personal assistant.

Many politicians aspiring for one position or the other from the 16 local governments have intensified lobbying especially following a statement from the APC calling for nominations of prospective commissioners and other appointees into Ahmed's cabinet. Daily Trust reports that many local government chapters of the APC differed on the choice of candidates to fill the positions. It was learnt that after hot disagreements, some lists containing likely candidates for commissioners, special advisers, assistants, among others were sent to the party. However, as things turned out, the aspiring office holders would have to wait for a longer period for the governor to make the appointments. Amidst anxiety over cabinet constitution in the state, Governor Ahmed on Thursday last week gave indication that the current financial quagmire the country found itself in had prevented him from appointing commissioners and other appointees that would serve in his government.

He said: "You see, ordinarily, as a second term governor under a smooth running system where you don't have financial constraints, I would have appointed commissioners the next day I was sworn-in but you see, no matter how much plans you have in running government, first thing first, resources must be available. "We are all aware that we are coming out of a huge financial deficit largely perpetrated by the last PDP-led federal administration which has brought us to a level where it was unbelievably difficult for states to meet up with their salaries. So, it would be very much out of place for me to come in and immediately appoint commissioners; commissioners to do what?

"If financial resources have not been a pressure, ordinarily we would have appointed commissioners the next day but we know where we find ourselves, even paying salaries… You want me to appoint commissioners and other political advisers who would also put me under financial pressure for salaries and wage?" the governor further asked. Despite the explanations given by the governor, however, there are still speculations that the delay in the appointment of commissioners and other appointees was as a result of the crisis in the National Assembly which allegedly prevented the Senate President to give his nod on who becomes what in the state government.

The Kwara State government had came out to debunk the insinuation which it described as false, unfounded and insensitive. A statement by Dr Muyideen Akorede, the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Communications to the governor stressed the earlier stand of the governor on why the cabinet was not constituted. Despite the denials, those who understand the politics of Kwara State could not eliminate the 'Saraki factor' in determining how the state is run because of his position. He is not only the leader of the APC in Kwara but he plays prominent role in determining who gets what in government.